White elephant: Changing plans hold up Mayo’s surgical tower project

Two deadlines have passed since the project was launched in 2006

LAHORE: The 521-bed surgical tower at Mayo Hospital is yet to be completed long after passing of two deadlines.

The foundation stone of the tower was laid in 2006. Originally, it was to open in 2008. Later, a new deadline for 2012 was set. The facility was to have a helipad for air ambulances. The tower was to have four surgical wards and classrooms for medical students to observe surgeries at hospitals in the United Kingdom through video link. Rs2 billion were allocated for the project.

A doctor associated with the project, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the project has been initiated in 2004 as a trauma centre.

“Later, the scope of the project was expanded and its name was changed. This is probably the only Health Department project that has undergone so many changes,” he said.

“The project will take another five years to be completed,” said another senior doctor overseeing with the project. Talking to The Tribune on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to comment on the matter, he said, “The surgical tower was a white elephant. Every month, there is a new plan for the tower. None of the plans materialise.”

Dr Salman Kazmi of Mayo Hospital said, “Initially, the plan was to construct conference rooms on the ground floor. Now the plan is to build wards there. The contractor is demanding additional costs on account of the design.”

“We suggested completing the project in distinct phases,” he added. “Unfortunately, plans have been changing constantly. As a result, we have not even been able to purchase MRI or CT scans machines. Tiles and windows are still being installed in some parts. Not a single facility in the tower has become functional.”

The doctor said according to the original plan, the building was to have seven storeys but under a revised plan, a five-storey tower is being built.

“They have revised the project cost three times,” says Tauseef Bhatti of the Young Doctors Association.

Project Director Abrar Ashraf declined comment on the situation

Mayo Hospital MS Amjad Shehzad and Health Department’s chief planning officer Abdul Haq Bhatti were not available for their comments

Health Department spokesman Akhlaq Ali Khan told The Tribune that most work had been completed. “The tower will open soon.” However, he did not specify a date.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2016.